‘Bite the bullet and sign up to metro mayor’

At the end of the month councillors across the West of England will have to decide on whether to embrace a new form of local governance – namely whether to have a metro mayor.

This new mayoral position, apart from Bristol’s third mayor of one form or another, would have newly-granted powers on transport, planning, housing, further education to name but a few. They will also be granted nearly £1bn of new money (spread over 30 years).

The question facing councillors is whether the new powers and money is worth the extra level of bureaucracy that it is conditional on. 

At the time of writing Bristol, BANES, North Somerset and South Glos, have still not determined their respective positions on the draft West of England Devolution Agreement [since writing Conservative-led North Somerset voted against the proposals – ed].

A final decision on this matter remains in the balance, with North Somerset, at its meeting held on June 7, hoping that central government can still be persuaded to offer devolved infrastructure funding and more control over finances without the need of a ‘metro mayor’.  

Similarly, in the past South Glos councillors have expressed support for a share of the promised near £1 billion extra investment in the region but would prefer a continuation of the current cooperative working arrangements which exist between the four authorities.  

I actually agree with them. I would much rather that the powers and money would be given without the condition of yet another politician.

However, the government seems firmly wedded to the idea of granting greater powers, responsibilities and resources to city regions so long as these are led by these powerful metro mayors.

The rationale for tying the spending of taxpayers’ money to individual politicians is based on the notion of greater accountability and the ability to actually deliver on important capital projects.

Many of us well remember the sad and sorry tale of the scuppered Supertram which failed largely due to Bristol and South Glos (Labour & Lib Dem administrations) being unable to agree on its route and terminus.

Ministers have made it clear that they are prepared to proceed with this funding and novel decision-making package provided three out of the four local councils are prepared to commit to it.  

Like our near neighbours I have no desire to resurrect Avon but this isn’t a cinema pic’n’mix. We either take the powers and the money and the mayor or we take nothing.

So if we are really serious about attracting greater infrastructure investment in the region – to pay for the desperately needed housing, rail (and road) improvements – then I am afraid we may have to bite this bullet and sign the deal which is on the table. I am not sure that playing a game of political poker will get the desired results from the government.

I share the concerns held by many people over the creation of yet another layer of political bureaucracy. So expenditure on this new office will have to be carefully contained and monitored.

But it seems that mayors presently represent the only game in town. At a time of increasingly constrained budgets, this funding package (with its potential to lever in even more money once we have proven this form of governing works well and is delivering on its promise) essentially constitutes the only sure way moving forward of securing the economic prosperity of our region.

I don’t really want another mayor, but as a Councillor living and representing a community on the boundary of the city that is witnessing 8,000 houses being built just over the border in South Gloucestershire, I whole heartedly support any proposals that would create a more joined-up approach on planning, housing and transport issues. 

Consequently, on balance, and after a great deal of considered reflection, I will be voting in favour of the deal and hope to be working in the days ahead to try to secure cross-party/cross-council backing for the West of England Devolution Agreement. 

The whole issue is due to be debated and our own formal response given at an extraordinary meeting of Full Council to be held at the end of this month, on Wednesday, June 29.

It is absolutely vital that the momentum, hope and optimism surrounding devolution is not allowed to evaporate through prevarication. To use poker parlance, I believe we must do everything possible to prevent this deal ending up being a busted flush.

Mark Weston is councillor for Henbury and leader of the Bristol City Conservative group

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